Slidable cover and handle member for photographic cameras

ABSTRACT

A combined cover and handle member for a still or motion picture camera has a substantially rigid U-shaped configuration and is mounted on the camera casing for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position the handle member serves as an aid for supporting the camera while taking pictures, and for carrying the camera between picturetaking operations. In the retracted position the handle member does not substantially increase the exterior dimensions of the camera and can be used as a cover for enclosing various camera mechanisms, such as the objective, light-sensitive cell, viewfinder, and trigger-operating member. Moreover, such camera mechanisms can be covered in the closed position of the handle member even though the mechanisms are located on more than a single side of the camera.

United States Patent [72] Inventors David E. Hansen Fairport; Arthur H.Crapsey, Rochester, both of, N35. [21] App]. No. $36,752 [22] Filed.llnne 26, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 17, 19711 [73] Assignee Eastman KodakCompany Rochester, NY.

[54] SLIIDABLE lCOi/ER AND HANDLE MEMBER FOR PHUEQSRAPHKC CAMERAS 3Claims, 4 firm/ring Figs.

[52] US. Q1 95/86, 95/11, 352/242, 352/243 [51] int. Cl G031) 17/56 [50]Field oifiearch 95/86, 11; 352/242, 243; 16/1 15; 49/70 [56] ReierenceslCited UNKTED S'l'ATES PATENTS 1,987,041 l/1935 Wood 16/115X 2,172,3489/1939 Githens 95/86 2,495,223 H1950 Bodlanden. 95/11 3,109,687 11/1963Dereng 16/115X 3,240,143 3/1966 Koeber Primary Examiner-John M. HoranAssistant Examiner-T. A. Mauro Attorneys-Robert W. Hampton and J.Addison Mathews ABSTRACT: A combined cover and handle member for a stillor motion picture camera has a substantially rigid U-shapedconfiguration and is mounted on the camera casing for movement betweenan extended position and a retracted position. In the extended positionthe handle member serves as an aid for supporting the camera whiletaking pictures, and for carrying the camera between pictureaakingoperations. in the retracted position the handle member does notsubstantially increase the exterior dimensions of the camera and can beused as a cover for enclosing various camera mechanisms, such as theobjective, light-sensitive cell, viewfinder, and trigger-operatingmember. Moreover, such camera mechanisms can be covered in the closedposition of the handle member even though the mechanisms are located onmore than a single side of the camera.

PATENTEDAUGI 719?: 3.599.553

sum 1 [1F 2 DAVID E. HANSEN ARTHUR H. CRAPSEY INVENTORS BY W WMd/MTTORNEYS PATENTEU AUG] 7131 SHEET 2 BF 2 DAVID E. HANSEN ARTHUR H.CRAPSE Y INVENTORS WMWM ATTORNEYS SLIDAELE COVER AND HANDLE MEWEII FORIIIOTOGRAPI-IIC EAMERAS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to photographic cameras for taking still and motionpictures and more particularly to a bandle member retractably mounted onsuch cameras.

It is well known in the photographic art to provide still and motionpicture cameras with means for supporting the cameras while takingpictures or for carrying the cameras between picture-taking operationsPreviously known supporting or carrying means generally have beenselected from one of three general types. The first type comprises asubstantially rigid handle member securely and immovably connected tothe camera casing. The second type of handle member also issubstantially rigid, but is movably attached to the camera casing formovement between an open position wherein the handle member serves tosupport the camera while taking pictures and a closed position adjacentthe camera body. This type of handle member is illustrated, for example,in US. Pats. No. 3,240,143 issued on Mar. 15, 1966 in the name ofKoeber, Jr. et al.; and 3,380,366 issued on Apr. 30, 1968 in the name ofOlson. The third type of handle member is disclosed, for example, inGerman Pat. No. 1,158,359, issued in the name of Agfa and published onNov. 28, 1963. This type is flexible over its entire length and can beattached to the camera at its entire length and can be attached to thecamera at its ends either rigidly or for relative sliding movement.

The aforementioned types of handle members for photographic camerasgenerally have been satisfactory for their intended purpose. However,each type suffers from certain dis advantages. For example, the firsttype always extends outwardly from the camera casing and therefore,substantially increases the overall exterior dimensions of the camera.While it is often possible to unfasten and separate the handle memberfrom the camera, the handle still requires substantial storage room and,once detached from the camera, is likely to be lost. In the second type,the handle member can be moved to a retracted position for storageadjacent the case. However, this type of handle member must be thick incross section to provide both a comfortable hand grip and a structurewhich is sufficiently rigid to prevent undesirable flexing. Therefore,even in its position against the camera casing, it will substantiallyincrease the exterior dimensions of the camera, Further, the design andshape of such handle members ordinarily is not convenient for carryingthe camera between picture-taking locations. The flexibility of thethird type of handle member makes it somewhat cumbersome and difficultto use. When used as an aid to support the camera for taking pictures,the flexible member must be accurately positioned with the hand not thenbeing used to hold the camera, and when the camera is inserted into acamera case between picture taking operations, the strap member must becarefully folded or otherwise positioned against the camera at the samefolded or otherwise positioned against the camera at the same time thecamera is being inserted into the case. Moreover, although the flexiblemember may be thin and flat in an open position, its multiplethicknesses in a folded position again increase the exterior dimensionsoftlie camera.

It also is known in the photographic art to provide cameras with handlemembers which not only support the camera while taking pictures but alsoserve for other functions. For example, known movable handle members ofthe type disclosed in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,380,366, have alsoserved to protect the camera objective and to prevent operation of thecamera operating element when the handle member is in the closed orretracted position. However, while previously known handle members ofthis type also have been generally satisfactory, their straightconfiguration limits this covering function to only one side or end ofthe camera. Therefore, such previously known handle members cannotprotect delicate camera features, for example, on two or even threedifferent sides of the camera.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide a substantially rigid U-shaped handle member which overcomes theabove-noted disadvantages of previous handle members.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a handlemember movable between an extended position wherein it may be usedeither as an aid for supporting the camera while taking pictures or forcarrying the camera between picture-taking operations, and a retractedposition wherein the handle member does not substantially increase theexterior dimensions of the camera.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a handlemember of the above type which covers and protects delicate cameraelements in the retracted position of the handle member.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide ahandle member of the above type which may cover and protect cameraelements on more than one wall of the camera when the handle member isin its retracted position.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention a handlemember of substantially rigid U-shaped configuration is mounted on thecasing of a photographic camera for movement between an extended or openposition and a retracted or closed position. In the open position thehandle member serves as aid for supporting the camera while takingpictures and for carrying the camera between picture-taking operations.In the closed position the handle member lies adjacent the camera casingwithout substantially increasing the overall exterior dimensions of thecamera. Moreover, in its closed position, the handle membersubstantially covers and protects three walls of the camera casing whichmay include on various ones of said walls the camera objective,light-sensitive cell, viewfinder, and camera-operating trigger.Additionally, the handle member is of such construction that it isinexpensive to manufacture and easy to operatively assemble onto thecamera.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an exploded view of a cameraincluding a handle member in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera and handle member of FIG. Iillustrating the top, front and one side thereof with the handle memberin an extended position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the camera and handle member of FIG. Iillustrating the bottom, front, and one side thereof opposite from theside depicted in FIG. 2 and again illustrating the handle member in theextended position; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the camera and handle member of FIG. Icorresponding substantially to FIG. 2 but depicting the handle in aclosed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I, apreferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed comprising acamera III hadng a substantially rigid U-shaped handle member I2.

The camera includes a casing I4 comprising a main body portion 16 andtwo side members or cover portions 18 and 26 One side member or coverportion, for example portion IS, includes a door 26 mounted at 12% forpivotal movement between an open position, uncovering a 51m compartmentor recess 22, and a closed position wherein the compartment or recess issubstantially light tight.

Side members 18 and 20 may be secured to the main body portion in anysatisfactory manner to define the exterior surfaces of the camera. Inthe embodiment shown, however, this securing means includes meansdefining openings 30 in the side members and screw or other fasteners 32insertable into the main body portion through openings 30 to securelyfasten the side members to the body portion.

Adjacent the front and back edges, 33a and 33b respectively, of each ofthe side members I8 and 20, vertically oriented slots or recesses 34,36, 38 and 40 are provided for receiving and permitting sliding movementof the handle member relative to the camera casing 14. This feature willbe described more fully hereinafter in connection with the handlemember.

The camera further include various well-known camera structures ormechanisms such as objective 38, viewfinder 39 (including eyepiece 42and front window 44) and cameraoperating element 46. These variouscamera structural elements can be located on any one or a plurality ofsides or edges of the camera body and have been illustrated in thepreferred embodiment on the front, rear and top walls of the casing.

Handle member 12 is formed of a plastic or metallic material havingsufficient rigidity to maintain its U-shflped configuration. I-Iowever,because of the inherent strength in a U- shaped configuration, thisdesired rigidity can be obtained even with material of thin crosssection.

The handle member comprises a central portion 50 and first and secondend portions 52 and 54 respectively oriented with the front and rearportions of the camera casing. The first or front and second or rearportions of the handle member further include tops or abutment surfaces55, 56, 57 and 58 for respectively cooperating with the slots 34, 36, 38and 40 in the cover member to slidably support the handle member on thecamera casing and to define the limits of movement of the handle memberrelative to the casing. The handle member also may include first andsecond or front and rear windows 60 and 62 which are oriented foralignment with the viewfinder eyepiece and window when the handle memberis in the open position.

During assembly, it should now be apparent that the substantiallyU-shaped handle member may simply be positioned adjacent and around thecamera body portion to and thereafter the side covers 18 and 20 may belocated over the handle member with abutment means 55, 56, '7 and 58 ofthe handle member located in slots 34, 36, 38 and 40 of the covermember. Once in this position, the threaded fastening members 32 may beinserted into openings 30 to securely fasten the handle member and covermembers to the body portion.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2-4 it can be seen that, oncethe handle and camera are assembled, the handle member may be movedbetween the retracted or closed position shown in FIG. 4 and theextended or open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The handle member ismaintained in either of these respective positions by frictionalengagement between the respective surfaces on the handle member andcooperating surfaces on the camera body and cover member.

The particular advantages of the present invention should now beapparent. For example, in the open or extended position of the handlemember the camera can be grasped for operation with the fingers of onehand extending over the top of the camera and into a position fordepression of cameraoperating element 46. In this manner of holding thecamera, the handle member overlies or abuts against the operatorsfingers and can serve as an aid to maintain the camera stationaryrelative to the operators hand. Between picture-taking operations, onthe other hand, the open or extended handle member serves as aconvenient means for carrying the camera.

In the closed position of the handle member it covers various exposedoperating mechanisms of the camera including for example, the objective,viewfinder, light-sensitive cell and operating trigger. Its U-shapedconfiguration is particularly advantageous for this protective functionsince it may cover or enclose and protect not only elements on one sideor edge wall of the camera but also on as many as two additional walls.Moreover, since the viewfinder and operating trigger are coveredwhenever the objective is covered, the camera cannot accidentally beoperated prior to removal of the objective cover.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

We Claim: I l. A camera comprising:

a casing having first and second spaced ends, said first end having anopening for an objective and said second end having an opening for aviewfinder, said first and second ends being substantially parallel toeach other;

an open, substantially U-shaped handle member having first and secondsubstantially parallel end portions joined by an elongate centralportion; and

means on said handle member and said casing for mounting said handlemember on the casing for movement between l) a retracted positionwherein the first end portion of the handle member covers the opening inthe casing for the objective and at least a substantial portion of thefirst end of the casing and the second portion of the handle membercovers at least a substantial portion of the second end of the casing,and (2) an extended position wherein the first portion of the handlemember uncovers the opening for the objective in the first end of thecasing, the second portion of the handle member uncovers the opening forthe viewfinder in the second end of the casing, and the central portionof the handle member is spaced from the portion of the casing betweensaid first and second end of the casing, thereby to define a handle forholding the camera, said mounting means for said handle membercomprising means for preventing movement of the central portion of thehandle member away from casing when the handle member is in its extendedposition, thereby permitting the camera to be held by the handle.

2. A camera as set forth in claim I wherein said means for preventingmovement of the central portion of the handle member comprises meansdefining a plurality of abutments on the first and second end portionsof the handle member, and means on the casing defining elongate slotsfor receiving the abutments.

3. A camera as set forth in claim 1 wherein the camera has an operatingtrigger positioned on the casing so that the central portion of thehandle member covers the trigger and prevents operation of the triggerwhen the handle member is in its retracted position and permitsengagement with the trigger for operation of the camera only when thehandle is in its extended position.

1. A camera comprising: a casing having first and second spaced ends,said first end having an opening for an objective and said second endhaving an opening for a viewfinder, said first and second ends beingsubstantially parallel to each other; an open, substantially U-shapedhandle member having first and second substantially parallel endportions joined by an elongate central portion; and means on said handlemember and said casing for mounting said handle member on the casing formovement between (1) a retracted position wherein the first end portionof the handle member covers the opening in the casing for the objectiveand at least a substantial portion of the first end of the casing andthe second portion of the handle member covers at least a substantialportion of the second end of the casing, and (2) an extended positionwherein the first portion of the handle member uncovers the opening forthe objective in the first end of the casing, the second portion of thehandle member uncovers the opening for the viewfinder in the second endof the casing, and the central portion of the handle member is spacedfrom the portion of the casing between said first and second end of thecasing, thereby to define a handle for holding the camera, said mountingmeans for said handle member comprising means for preventing movement ofthe central portion of the handle member away from casing when thehandle member is in its extended position, thereby permitting the camerato be held by the handle.
 2. A camera as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid means for preventing movement of the central portion of the handlemember comprises means defining a plurality of abutments on the firstand second end portions of the handle member, and means on the casingdefining elongate slots for receiving the abutments.
 3. A camera as setforth in claim 1 wherein the camera has an operating trigger positionedon the casing so that the central portion of the handle member coversthe trigger and prevents operation of the trigger when the handle memberis in its retracted position and pErmits engagement with the trigger foroperation of the camera only when the handle is in its extendedposition.